St. Pete expands regulations for accessory dwelling units
By Breanne Williams
Tampa Bay Business Journal
Published: Aug 5, 2022

St. Petersburg City Council has approved amending the city’s regulations to expand accessory dwelling units, otherwise known as granny flats or mother-in-law suites, which could lead to a rise in available housing.

According to city staff, the amendments allow for 47 neighborhoods throughout the city to now qualify, with conditions, including Historic Old Northeast, Shore Acres and Snell Isle.

Derek Kilborn, manager of the city’s urban planning and historic preservation division, said the 47 communities were identified because they included Neighborhood Suburban zoning with lots measuring 10,000 square feet or more in the area; Neighborhood Suburban zoning with lots located on rear or side-loading alleys; or Neighborhood Traditional zoning.

By adding an ADU to the property, a homeowner could rent out the unit to bring in additional income while offering a more affordable housing alternative in the community.

Those wishing to build an ADU will need to follow the ratio of their primary residence being 60% of the area with the ADU being 40% of the area. If the ADU is less than 600 square feet, is within one-eighth of a mile of a high-frequency transit route and meets other elements parking requirements may be waived for the location. The city also altered parking requirements and the size permitted for the ADUs.

The amendments were approved in a 5-1 vote on July 14 with Councilman Ed Montanari voting against the motion. Montanari was concerned about how expanding the ADUs could impact the character of some of the neighborhoods in the city and about waiving parking under certain circumstances.

During the meetings, residents echoed those concerns about the character neighborhoods and potential parking issues and also objected to allowing ADUs in coastal high-hazard neighborhoods.

Changes theoretically could result in thousands of new parcels throughout the city. However, in May members of the Development Review Commission were told that current statistics indicate this will more than likely not spark a wave of development. Under the prior regulations, 50 to 70 households were seeking ADU permits each year, according to Liz Abernethy, director of planning and development.

Read more at bizjournals.com/tampabay to see the entire list of 47 neighborhoods that now qualify.

The 47 neighborhoods that have lots that might now qualify are: